Chapter 39:

Chapter 39, A Plan Backfired

Kyoya slowly went through the motions he had finished while getting ready for the day. He gently reached into the pocket of his uniform coat and felt the little beads. With a soft smile, he silently sent another thanks to the fathers of his elder two friends for their thoughtfulness. The Blood Shield and Ward would only activate should any form of attack be aimed at him, be it physical or magical in nature. When he had gotten them he had initially held the thought of giving one to Fuyumi but his Shadows had insisted that he keep them. Kyoya was never one to ignore or take their warninga lightly so he held onto them. After all, if the very beings from the domain he was born to were warning him and insisting that he keep such things on hand, he wasn't going to argue. They had a cleaner view of everything than he did and could interact with others to find out if there were truths or dangers hidden in plain sight.

There was also the fact he had a strong feeling that today was going to be a drastic shift in everything. He had felt a coil of worry fill him since the first meeting with Akito and then the subsequent meeting with Saichi. It had grown with each interaction with the young illusionist but he tried to push it aside and attempt to keep several feet ahead of his adversary. He only hoped he had planned far enough ahead. Looking out the car window, he saw the looming shape of the school and took in a deep breath. With a subtle glance towards Tachibanna, he noted the man's stiff posture and could tell that he was worried. Giving a small nod towards his bodyguard, the elder male relaxed slightly at the indication.

Tachibanna was slightly relieved that his charge was aware of the danger and seemed to be prepared. He still had a bad feeling in his gut that trouble was brewing, so the bodyguard made a mental note to keep watch around the school. If he noticed anything out of the ordinary, he would attempt to either stop it or give advanced warning to Kyoya. He had never failed in protecting the youngest Ootori son and he had not intention of starting now.

*~*0o0o0o0o0*~*

Haruhi looked up towards the school and sighed softly. Satoshi and Yasuchika were in the car with her but both were quiet, most likely tired from the intense morning session they had gotten curtesy of Asuda. She glanced at the two first years and gave a sympathetic smile.

"I warned you that he doesn't take it easy," she reminded them. "But you two insisted."

"Yeah," Satoshi groaned. "We got what we asked for."

"To be honest," Yasuchika sighed. "I thought you might have been joking when you said he could wipe the floor with our brothers at the same time. To meet someone that could send Mitsukuni and Takashi to the other side of the training ring in less than a minute was a thought that hadn't really crossed my mind. I had hoped to be able to do that on my own eventually but to witness someone do so before me was kind of shocking."

"He made it look so easy, too. I have been in a few sparring matches with Taka and I always lose. I know that it is mostly due to the fact he had more practice than I do and I have seen him and chichue go at it but to see Taka lose that quick...that's kind of scary to see."

"Uncle Asuda has thousands of years of practice," Haruhi stated. "He also has more than one style of swordsmanship that he uses. I am not sure exactly how many he has but he has told me that he mixes them together to create his own unique style and that it shifts depending on his situation."

The younger pair nodded softly.

"Would he be willing to teach us some of them?" Satoshi asked.

"All you would have to do is ask. I know that he is teaching a couple to Takashi and is waiting until I have a better grasp of Kendo before teaching another one of my choice to me."

"Does he know other forms of hand to hand?" Yasuchika probed.

"More than likely. I haven't really asked but I do know that grandfather knows quite a few. I think uncle Abraham and uncle Fernando know a few as well, but I'm not sure."

"Guess that will be something to ask when we get done with school today," Satoshi smiled.

All three teens smiled and continued to talk about nothing in general during the rest of the ride to school. It hadn't escaped either vampire that as they neared the school though, that Haruhi would bring her hand to where her dragon hung around her neck and a slight crease of worry formed on her brow. With a glance to each other when the gates came into view, the silently agreed to be doubly vigilant today. Something had worried Qurdox and he was warning Haruhi. They weren't sure what it could be but they were going to make sure that it didn't catch them off guard.

*~*0o0o0o0o0*~*

Morning classes passed by with relative ease for Haruhi, which she was silently grateful for. The last near two weeks had been more hectic than her first year of high school and that was a shocking achievement with some of the stuff pulled off by the others. She wondered if for once, things had mellowed and that life was finally normal but Qurdox pulsed softly on her chest, reminding her that things weren't completely normal, but where slowly becoming part of a new type of it. She sighed softly as she looked over her notes for class as she readied to take the test the teacher had set for the day.

She was confident that she would pass it, after all, she was further ahead than the rest of her classmates in all of her studies. When the instructor called for all students to put their notes away, Haruhi complied and got ready. She was ready and confident that the test would have no surprises she couldn't handle.

*~*0o0o0o0o0*~*

Kyoya looked at his phone as the time neared noon. He pulled out the small blood beads from his pocket and closed his eyes as his fist clenched around them. He subtly called to the magic that made them and pulled it around himself. Once he felt the ancient magic settle around him, Kyoya stood as his sensei dismissed the class for lunch. He calmly walked to the garden area where he knew that Saichi would be waiting for her uncle, and for him. He slowed as he neared and heard voices.

"I haven't seen her yet today, uncle," Saichi sighed. "I might be able to see her later during lunch if she comes outside today or I might be able to catch her before the Club meets today."

"Do hurry then," Akito hissed. "The sooner she understands, the faster she can be where we can keep a better eye on her."

"You really haven't learned from the last time, have you?" Kyoya asked as he walked around the corner. "Or the fact you, Miss Kanzaki, didn't head my warnings."

Saichi gulped audibly as she slowly turned to see Kyoya walk out rather casually with a blank look on his face. She knew he would say something threatening, he had warned her of such, but she had no idea what he would actually say. She also had heard rumors of things that he could pull off a short notice and a number of those had played through her head when she had left their meeting the night before.

Akito tensed when he heard the youngest Ootori son speak but a dark smile crossed his face when the young warlock came into view. Kyoya kept a blank face but inside he was worried. Standing off to the side was his father and older brothers, a sight that normally didn't phase him much but, right now, it did. He honestly had no idea as to why they would be here, and something didn't sit right about this situation. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Quin'Derax standing just inside the shadows under one of the balconies that over looked the garden.

"Actually, I have learned a great deal," Akito smirked. "It seems as though you aren't as cleaver as you claim to be."

"My claims at intelligence are well warranted," Kyoya replied coolly. "I am not called the "Shadow King" of Ouran for no reason."

"Does that pertain more towards you affinity, or your heritage?"

Kyoya narrowed his eyes and was about to speak but a sudden surge of pain wrapped around his body causing him to double over in pain. He shakily lifted his head to see a Holy Radiance rune formed in front of Akito's hand as the surge of radiance swirled around him. Through the pain he was able to call the power of the blood beads, letting their power pulse to fulfill their purpose but it didn't help much to lessen the pain of the magics surging into his being.

Yoshio watched in mixed horror and anger as the man before him attacked his son in a manner that shouldn't have been scientifically possible or even probable. As he watched, he saw his youngest double over in pain and although his instinct as a father was to try and help his child, the black swirling energy around him kept Yoshio and his elder sons in their places. He watched as his youngest's eyes sifted to solid black and heard his voice distort in pain. He couldn't figure out what to do and it infuriated him to no end. Glancing at his other children, he could tell by their shocked faces that they didn't know anything about what was happening either.

He then thought about his daughter and his wife. Kyoya had always been very close to the two females of their family. Had they always known about this? Yoshio wondered with dread. If they had, why did they not... He then paused as the reason slowly came to him. Kyoya had the ability to do and use things that could not have been proven by science, and as such, wasn't something he understood or would have even tried to understand. They feared that he would possible keep Kyoya isolated and used for anything other than a person.

He was then filled with a deep sense of sorrow and regret. Sorrow that he had driven his wife and daughter to keep such a heavy secret from him and regret that he may never be able to understand his youngest. He was also filled with worry as he watched sever burns begin to form on Kyoya's exposed skin.

Saichi watched in utter horror as Akito surged Holy magic around her senpai. When she saw the burns begin to form, she tried calling out to her uncle to get him to stop. He had proven whatever point he had wanted to prove but he would end up killing Kyoya if he didn't stop. She kept trying but when he didn't listen, she tried to redirect the magic herself. As she tried to form her reflective magic against the onslaught, a strong wave of power washed over them all and Saichi froze at the dark intent behind it.

*~*0o0o0o0o0*~*

Teshiro stirred and sat up. His head hurt and he was hungry. Rubbing the back of his head as he yawned, he looked down at his attire and saw that he had been changed out of the clothes he had worn during the flight. The only person that would have done so, or had ordered it done, would have been Hideki. Standing up, he stretched and groaned as his back popped. That felt good, he chuckled softly. He looked around to try and spot a clock but huffed when there wasn't one. He did, however, spot his bag near by. Walking over, he knelt down and opened it. Pulling out a change of clothes, he burst out laughing when he saw that they were actually his Analyst robes. With a shrug, and several laughs, Teshiro went to shower and dress. He was looking forward to meeting his young cousin.

He knew Hideki was looking forward to meeting her too, even if he didn't openly show it. Meeting Ranka had been a trip and a half. He had regained some consciousness after the initial landing to meet the red head and he had a blast. Ranka had him in stitches with everything he and his cousin had endured with the Host club, especially with the pictures. Hideki had actually had a hard time not smiling at some of the things that were detailed in their everyday life. Tsuke, Aiko and Hiro were equally pleased to meet the flamboyant male.

Hiro had jokingly asked the cross dresser how he thought he would look dressed in drag. He had been utterly shocked when Ranka had just smiled and dragged him to another room to dress him. Teshiro had fallen over laughing so hard he was crying when Hiro stepped out in a stunning crimson dress, smoky eyeshadow, winged eyeliner, and a long brunette wig. He also wore some light green peridot earrings and a simple gold chain necklace. Aiko had bit his lip so hard he had drawn blood to prevent himself from laughing at his young brother's mixed embarrassment and dismay. Tsuke gave an apologetic smile and asked Ranka if he could help his baby brother change back out of the attire. Ranka had asked to get a picture first but at the sheer horrified look that crossed Hiro's face, the older male dismissed the idea and helped him out of the dress.

Once dressed, Teshiro walked out of the room to see his uncles and brother eating a light meal with Tai Zhou standing near by. With a soft tilt of his head towards the General, he joined his family.

"Sleep well?" Tsuke asked.

"Yeah," he yawned. "I don't think I will ever be able to unsee Hiro in a dress for the rest of my life."

Hiro grumbled under his breath while Aiko chuckled softly and Tsuke just shook his head.

"While that will be an unforgettable sight," Tsuke schooled. "We have more pressing matters to do. It is near noon, meaning she will be at lunch in a few moments. Father has gotten permission to let us walk the school to see her. We leave in a few moments. Eat lightly."

Teshiro nodded and grabbed one of the small sandwiches that were on the tray. He had to admit it tasted good, but he was more excited at the meeting with his cousin. When he was finished, the group stood to leave. It was going to be a short drive to the school thus conversation was pointless.

The school was beautiful and immaculate, which was to be expected of a school built for the elite. Teshiro sighed at the extended opulence and shook his head. He hated overt displays of monetary wealth, just as much as useless displays of power that depleted a caster's well of magic. They were met by the chairman, which was recognized easily by all gathered. Yuzuru was under the impression that they were looking at the school as a potential place of study for Teshiro instead of being there to visit. Tsuke requested to wander the grounds before being shown inside, so that Teshiro could get a better feel for the school.

"But of course," Yuzuru smiled. "We wouldn't want a confused Elemental wandering about."

Teshiro laughed softly as he scratched the back of his head. Because he was tied to all of the Eternal Elements, like his father, him being confused was a nigh impossibility but not everyone knew that. Nonetheless, it let him and his family wander without an escort around the grounds. The chairman left after giving directions to his office for when they were ready for the internal tour of the campus.

It was relatively quiet as they looked around. Teshiro was surprised about the peace that was pulsing trough the school despite the faint chatter of students he could detect on the wind. It was when he felt a strong surge of magic that his attention shifted. His ability as an Analyst became the forefront of his mind.

Radiant magic, he muttered. Shadow and Blood as well...no...Void, not shadow...and...something else... His eyes went wide as he felt the surge shift to something stronger, and much more dangerous.

"An Awakening," Tai Zhou clarified. "Hurry."

That was all it took for everyone to begin running towards the strong pulses of magic, each noting that as the pulses got stronger, the ground began to quake in response.

*~*0o0o0o0o0*~*

Haruhi walked calmly through the halls towards the lunch room. Although she had her own lunch on hand, she was walking that way so that she could get out to the gardens to eat in peace. She waved at a few of the people she came across if they waved first, most of them being some of the customers she had in the Host Club. She had been surprised that they still wanted to sit and talk with her when it came out that she was female.

Renge had commented that they, and herself, had felt a deep connection with the Natural host and that even though it had hurt that she kept it a secret, they didn't want it to go away. They liked being with her because she was a good listener and deeply affectionate towards others. Haruhi had just smiled politely and let the girls around her continue to list a slew of reasons as to why they weren't going to walk away that easy but one of the ones that stuck out was that they had the small hope that she could be a new friend to them.

She shook her head and stepped outside only to freeze as a swirl of magic seeped through the air. She snapped her head around trying to find the source.

"Over there," Qurdox rumbled, pulsing when she looked in the right direction.

Haruhi dropped her lunch and ran towards the surging magic. When she rounded the corner, all breath left her chest. She saw Kyoya doubled over on the ground, sever burns on his hands and face, his eyes completely black and his voice distorted darkly as he yelled in agony. Her eyes then switched over to Saichi. She could feel a light swirl around her but Qurdox assured her that her cousin was trying to get the magic off of Kyoya, so her eyes slowly turned towards Akito.

The dark smile on his face made her angry, the smug aura around him made her blood boil, and all she could think of was to get him to stop at all costs. She could tell that Kyoya was badly hurt and it made her deeply angry. Her body began to shake as her power began to thrum around her and, unknown to her, her eyes had shifted to a solid blue with a crimson glow.

"You," she hissed towards Akito, her voice near guttural.

Akito looked towards the new voice, having not noticed a new arrival due to his relishing the agony the warlock was in, and felt fear fill his being. He could feel the magic swirling around Haruhi and, frankly, it terrified him. She was much more powerful than he thought and it looked as if she was aiming all her anger at him. It escaped his notice that her eyes were different but he certainly felt the heavy weight of her magic slamming against him and the surrounding area.

Qurdox swirled to form in response to Haruhi's magic going rampant. His eyes caught the cracks and breaks in the pillars of the school and could feel the tremors of a quake in the ground. His hearing caught the sounds of alarms going off which was set to go off in the case of an emergency to evacuate the students. With a look towards his Ward, he felt pain and fear fill him as he considered the options of what to do. He couldn't let her continue like this, her growing power would destroy the school and quite possibly kill several people but he knew that words would do nothing to calm her. He gave an apologetic rumble he coiled before lunging towards her. Just before he could connect with her, his fangs were met against an onyx steel katana. The dragon's eyes followed the blade and widened at the holder of the blade.

Tai Zhou stood calmly between the dragon and child. His black clothes a stark contrast to his pale skin and dark eyes. He stood resolute, with no emotion, his blade not wavering against the heavy weight of the dragon. With eyes alone, Tai Zhou told the dragon he would not back down. Qurdox rumbled darkly but movement caught his eye as others came into view.

Tsuke, Aiko, Hiro, Hideki And Teshiro skidded to a halt and the young Analyst felt worry and the sting of tears in his eyes at the situation before him. I need to stop her, Teshiro worried. But how do I without hurting her? Him, I could care less about, his magic is imprinted on the Void Warlock's injuries and it is clear that the other was trying to heal him, or redirect the magic.

Just as Teshiro was about to try and do something, the heavy aura of Trekiva arrived. He looked in horror as a Blood Gate opened in the middle of the gathering and his grandfather materialized wearing a deeply angered expression.

Trekiva looked around at the people before letting his eyes rest on Teshiro. "Seal her," he ordered, his voice devoid of anything.

Teshiro gaped at his grandfather but the dark look he got made him shut his mouth and begin the ritual that would render his cousin temporarily unable to use her magic. His lip quivered, a tear sliding down his face, and cast the seal. He flinched as he felt her magic shut off and, as a result of the sudden drop of power, the broken parts of the school crashed to the ground as she went limp and dropped.

Keeping his head lowered, he sent a telepathic message to his father. "Dad...I think I messed up..."